Blue Jays Top Prospects
With Spring Training winding down, both major leaguers and minor leaguers are preparing for their respective seasons. I thought it would be fun and wise to look at each MLB team’s top prospects. After all, more often than not, the top prospects of their team will accomplish one of three things, be the next star/regular player for their team, get traded for a star player, or at least reach the MLB and contribute in some fashion. They are the backbone of any successful organization. Look at the Rays, they may have a tiny payroll, but they are consistently a top-performing team with their amazing prospect system. As such, I’m taking a look at the Toronto Blue Jays’ top prospects. The Blue Jays have built a star-laden team through their minor leagues and prospects mainly. Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Alejandro Kirk, Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, and many others were prospects in their system.
So, who are the next 5 players set to become potential stars for the up-and-coming Blue Jays?
1. Gabriel Moreno, C, Triple-AAA
This is easily the Toronto Blue Jays‘ number one prospect. Gabriel Moreno was originally signed for 25,000 dollars out of Venezuela in August of 2016. He’s now one of the top catching prospects in the game. The 22-year-old player stands 5’11 and weighs 160 pounds. Last year, he hit .373/.441/.651 with eight homers in 32 games at Double-A New Hampshire before a fractured left thumb ended his season. Luckily, he managed to come back for the Arizona Fall League where he led the entire league in doubles. The right-handed hitter/thrower has hit 24 HRs, 150 RBIs, 49 walks, and 88 K’s over his 191 career minor league games. Moreno is seen as the next Can’t-miss prospect from Toronto’s system. He’s got a great eye at the plate while using a compact/fast swing to make strong contact. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him be a potential All-Star catcher in the MLB or at least provide consistent offense from a position not known for giving much offense. As for his defense? Well, he has a strong arm with a very fast release that will allow him to maintain the bases. He reminds me of Jason Kendall or a stronger version of him at least. If you’re a Blue Jays fan, you should be happy since Moreno should debut this year. He’ll first head to Triple-AAA, but expect him to show up sometime around August.
2. Orelvis Martinez, SS/3B, High-A
Orelvis is the Blue Jays latest middle infield prospect that has great potential. He was given a 3.5 million dollar bonus back in 2018. Orelvis is 20 years old and proving himself slowly but surely in the low levels of the minor leagues. He was a teen at 19 last year when he played in Low-A and High-A. Despite being so young, he smashed 28 HRs with a .261/.345/.549 slash line in 451 plate appearances. That’s insanely productive for such a young player. He packs a ton of power into his 6’1, 188 pounds frame. The right-handed hitter/thrower has a quick strong swing that allows him to maintain bat velocity on any pitch. As he’s still only 20, I can see him adding twenty+ more pounds of muscle which will allow him to reach even higher numbers of HRs/power. Although he’s got a ton of power, he must work on his eye as he struggles with strikeouts. That will get worse the higher he climbs the system. Ultimately, I predict Martinez to arrive to the bigs in 2024 after being sent to Double-AA this year. He should wind up at third base and might be a good trade candidate if the Blue Jays need a star in the bigs.
3. Jordan Groshans, SS/3B, Double-AA
Like Orelvis, Groshans is another shortstop/third base prospect that has great future potential. He was originally drafted back in the first round of 2018 by the Blue Jays. He signed for 3.4 million. Last year, he was sent to Double-AA where he really impressed at only 21 years old. He hit .291 with 23 doubles, but only a meager 7 HRs. There’s concern he won’t have much power. Scouts still think he has power locked inside him as he is 6’3 and 205. Despite the lack of power, he has a tremendous eye at the plate maintaining a high walk rate and low strikeout rate. He makes plenty of contact. He’s got above-average potential and will ultimately move to third if he makes the MLB. If he improves his power, he could be an All-Star. I see him sticking with the Blue Jays long-term and should reach Triple-AAA by end of this year with an MLB debut in reach in 2023.
4. Leo Jimenez, SS, Low-A
Jimenez was originally signed in 2017 from Panama. He’s a shortstop that has great fielding/running ability. His power is very non-existent. Basically, he’s your prototypical defensive shortstop. He makes a ton of contact and will run a high batting average with a decent walk rate. However, expecting anything more than doubles would let you down. Last year, over 54 games, he hit .320/.523/.392 while walking nearly twice as often as he struck out. He’s only 20 years old and should head to High-A or perhaps Double-AA by end of this year. He reminds me of David Fletcher. Look for him to reach the bigs in 2024 with a lot of potential.
5. CJ Van Eyk, SP, High-A
CJ was originally drafted in the 19th round by the Mets in 2017. However, he decided to go to college and got drafted by the Jays in 2020 in the 2nd round. He’s currently recovering from Tommy John Surgery that he had in 2021. He should reach the Majors soon, perhaps by late 2023 or early 2024. He’s got a plus curveball with a low-90s fastball and a developing slider. He maintains a strong presence on the mound and pitches like a veteran pitcher. He’s a talented pitcher that endured a temporary setback. Don’t be surprised if he ends up as a reliable #3/4 SP.
